Wet String and Sellotape : Search, Business

Learn from the best of the best - Tours of the World's Best Intranets!!

Mike P — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:22:39 GMT

Couldn't miss the opportunity of letting you all know about this, click on the link below and learn from the best of the best!

And the fast facts are:

What is IBF 24?

IBF 24 is the world’s first online gathering focused on intranet innovation

· Go on live tours of 12 of the world's best intranets - including those run by non-IBF members American Electric Power, IBM, IKEA, Microsoft, Nissan and SAP. This is your chance to show your colleagues what other leading global intranets are accomplishing

· Hear acclaimed speakers including former Al Gore speechwriter and Whole New Mind author Dan Pink, Dave Armstrong of Google, Ethan R.R. McCarty from IBM, and Kirk Koenigsbauer of Microsoft, the man they call the ‘King of SharePoint’

· Learn from master classes by expert practitioners

· Take part in online breakout sessions in which you can debate the hot topics with peers from hundreds of organisations worldwide – IBF members and non-members alike

Enjoy!

Shameless plug for a partners seminars on WCM with MOSS 2007!

Mike P — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:48:58 GMT

Well why not...

ICS Solutions are a Microsoft Gold Partner and experts in delivering business solutions based on SharePoint technologies. We present a free and interactive seminar where you can learn how Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 can be used to deliver and manage public facing web sites.

You will see live demonstrations of SharePoint’s Web Content Management features including Content Authoring, Branding and Controlled Deployment; you will hear expert opinion and advice which will help you assess SharePoint 2007 for use within your organisation from both a strategic and technical perspective; you will learn how ICS have helped clients to streamline business processes around the management of corporate web sites using SharePoint 2007.

What will the seminar cover?

What is Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007?
What is Web Content Management?
How to evaluate SharePoint 2007 for your Web Content Management requirements?
What are the key considerations in building a SharePoint Server farm for a Web site?
How to get started with your Web Content Management Project
Over one hour of live demonstrations
Q&A

When?
Date: 14th May 2008
Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Frequency: ICS run seminars every 2 weeks throughout the year, please click here for further details.

Where?
Microsoft Victoria, London
For directions, click here

Who should attend?
Business and Technical Managers

Who are ICS?

ICS are a Microsoft Gold Partner specialising in Information Worker solutions
ICS has the UK's largest pool of SharePoint experts with over 300 specialists
ICS has implemented over 100 SharePoint projects successfully

To find out more about ICS, click here.

Why should I attend?

"ICS are one of Microsoft's most respected SharePoint partners with a well deserved reputation for delivering SharePoint solutions to the highest standard" - Rob Gray, Microsoft SharePoint Product Marketing Manager

t: 01256 403 800 e: events@ics.net w: www.ics.net

ICS Solutions Ltd, .NET Solutions Campus, Skippetts House, Skippetts Lane, Basingstoke, Hants RG21 3HP

FAST Acquired - now running as a Microsoft Subsidiary

Mike P — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:05:15 GMT

So those not accustomed to how Microsoft do acquisitions it kind of goes like this:

1. Offer made

2. Accounts and business reviewed in detail, final price agreed and purchase completed - regulatory approvals etc

3. Business is run as a subsidiary of Microsoft

4. Products go through the security development lifecycle so it is ensured they meet the standard Microsoft security policies and procedures

5. The Microsoft brand is then given to the business and the product appears on our price lists so our usual channels can access the tools and sell the product in the usual fashion

We are at step 3 with FAST. The customer FAQ is here, and there is a handy email address if you have any questions: fastq@microsoft.com

Enjoy!

18 hours of Free Enterprise Search Training!

Mike P — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:24:56 GMT

Oh Yes it doesn't get much better than this - 18 hours of free training on MOSS 2007 all online so you can peruse it at your pleasure courtesy of 'english-tiger' training!

Technical Backgounder

Before you learn from the online version of the deep three-day class (below), ensure you are up to speed by viewing the technical backgrounder on Enterprise Search Architecture.

» Enterprise Search Architecture

Full three-day training class!

Module 1 - Introduction

This module introduces the full three-day class.

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Module 2 - Enterprise Search Overview

This module provides some astounding figures as to why organizations require Enterprise Search Solutions! We recommend that you do not skip this module.

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Module 3 - SharePoint Search Walkthrough

This module is more than an overview. It cuts through the marketing hype in an informed, intelligent manner! We recommend that you do not skip this module.

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Module 4 - Search Architecture and Deployment

This module provides essential insights, discussions, and very deep technical information on architecture and server layouts.

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Module 5 - Crawl and Query Processes

This module provides the 'under-the-hood' story about what happens at crawl and indexing time, and follows up with essential information about the query-time processes. This is how Search in SharePoint actually works, regardless of what you see in the user interfaces.

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Module 6 - Relevance Ranking

If relevance ranking is perceived to be inaccurate by your users, they will simply stop using your solutions. This module explains in detail how you can tune the relevance ranking subsystem.

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Module 7 - Customizing the End-User Experience

This module shows you ALL that can be achieved by customizing Search Center in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, without requiring additional development effort. It is the definitive guide to customizing Search Center.

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Module 8 - Developing Search Solutions

Where Search Center cannot be customized sufficiently to suit your needs, you might need to develop your own solutions. This module shows you how! Developer topics include the KeywordQuery syntax, the FullTextSQLQuery syntax, the Search object model, the Search Web service, and the Search Administration object module.

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Module 9 - Business Data Catalog Search

This module shows you how to set up BDC search from scratch. It also highlights some common pitfalls.

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Module 10 - Extensibility and Integration for Search

This module provides more information about the crawl and indexing process by focusing on iFilters and Protocol Handlers. It also discusses full and incremental crawls, as well as providing guidance around 32-bit/64-bit architecture.

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Module 11 - Search Administration

This module provides a comprehensive discussion of search administration.

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Module 12 - Security for Search

This module covers a variety of topics from search accounts, through Information Rights Management, to crawling Forms-based authenticated sites.

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Module 13 - Performance, Scalability, and Capacity Planning

This module provides invaluable discussions of indexer requirements, query server requirements, and other scalability approaches. Most importantly, it discusses how you can plan disk space requirements for indexing large corpuses.

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Module 14 - Search Operations

This module concludes the class by discussing operations and management tasks for enterprise search solutions.

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Enjoy!

Monthly SharePoint LiveMeetings from the UK Channel Team

Mike P — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:22:27 GMT

Our very own marathon running Partner Technical Specialist Jeremy Palmer has kicked off some monthly LiveMeetings for everyone who wants a simple way to stay in touch with the UK SharePoint Team. Links for registering for the May and June ones are here:

Title

May 2008 - Microsoft Office SharePoint Server - Monthly Partner Live Meeting

Description

This Live Meeting aims to update Microsoft Certified and Gold Certified Partners holding the Information Worker competency with the latest news about Microsoft Office SharePoint Server

Registration Link: https://www.livemeeting.com/lrs/microsoft1/Registration.aspx?pageName=c91ln9k48dsrkhj8

June 2008 - Microsoft Office SharePoint Server - Monthly Partner Live Meeting

Registration Link: https://www.livemeeting.com/lrs/microsoft1/Registration.aspx?pageName=q8rqwcq6fndmtq05

Look forward to speaking to you!

Sword SharePoint event on Financial Services Compliance

Mike P — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:49:09 GMT

Cool new event - check it out:

SharePoint Deployment in Financial Services - Alleviating the burden of compliance and TCF

Friday 2nd May 2008, Microsoft Offices - Victoria, London

SWORD's SharePoint Consultancy is chairing this forthcoming event in association with Contrast Training.

This free morning event, hosted by Microsoft, will address how Microsoft's SharePoint enables organisations to create, distribute and manage policies, procedures, rules, regulations and the Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) infrastructure using SharePoint.

Guest speakers include Roger Cotterill from Endsleigh Insurance and Gerry Morgan of City Capital Consulting.

Delegates will learn how, with SharePoint, they are able to improve compliance procedures, reduce the burden of compliance on senior managers and assist with managing the TCF infrastructure.

Great to see some of our new partners getting out there and making some noise!

It's not that I am competitive but...

Mike P — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:52:12 GMT

I really want a UK partner to win the Enterprise Search Partner of the Year Award!!!!

Come on make sure you get what you deserve and submit yourself for an award at out annual Partner Conference in Houston Texas - YeeHah!

You only have two days to go - so get your creative writing hats on!

Microsoft Enterprise Search Workshops - Back by popular demand!

Mike P — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:54:35 GMT

More customer and partner workshops - back by popular demand!

Enterprise search doesn't have to be complicated. In fact Microsoft recently announced that quick, easy and powerful search will soon be available for FREE in the form of Microsoft Search Server 2008 Express, a fantastic addition to the Microsoft Enterprise Search solution.

The free one day Microsoft Enterprise Search workshops, delivered by a technical consultant, are designed to present customers with a solid understanding of Microsoft Enterprise Search capabilities. Providing an overview of the Enterprise Search solution from Microsoft, demonstrating the products and providing an effective evaluation of the Enterprise Search functionality and benefits in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Microsoft Search Server 2008.

Agenda

09:00 Registration and coffee

09:30 Introductions

09:45 Setting the Scene — What is Enterprise Search and why does it matter?

10:15 Microsoft Enterprise Search Strategy — Introducing Microsoft's products and services for delivering Enterprise Search Solutions

10:45 Coffee break

11:00 Configuring indexing and search using MOSS 2007 — Solution architecture and design; Configuring indexing and search across content, people and applications; Ongoing administration

12:30 Lunch

13:15 Improving relevance and information find ability — Using technical and non-technical tips and tricks to improve relevance and find ability of information

14:00 Beyond the intranet — Exploring alternative and future search solutions – web-based, desktop and mobile devices

14:45 Coffee break

15:00 Getting started with Microsoft Search Server MSS 2008 Express Edition — Installing and configuring MSS 2008 Express Edition. Attendees who bring their own laptops can be assisted in setting up their own instance of MSS Express to take away

16:00 Summary, Q&A — Review and wrap-up

16:30 Close

To register just click on the link below!

18 March: Register here location Microsoft Chertsey
26 March: Register here location Microsoft Chertsey
1 April: Register here location Microsoft Manchester
9 April: Register here location Microsoft Chertsey
22 April: Register here location Microsoft Edinburgh
28 April: Register here location Microsoft Chertsey

Enjoy!

We're looking for Search Heroes - tell us your story!

Mike P — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:23:36 GMT

- Are you using Microsoft Search Server?

- Would you like to tell us how it has helped your organisation and why you chose our software (thanks!) over other alternative software platforms?

- Cos guess what we would love to hear your views! Just click on the link below for a very simple web form to start the ball rolling!

I look forward to hearing from you!

SharePoint Seattle Conference - UK Party Information Here!

Mike P — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:41:20 GMT

Roll up Roll Up all UK attendees of the Seattle SharePoint conference - we have confirmed the venue and timing for the UK soiree - an evening of sophisticated discussion, sporting activity and of course fine food and refreshment!

Date: Monday 3rd March - 6pm until midnight

Location: Garage Billiards click to get the precise map

Dress Code: Whatever you Like :)

Note: Please bring a form of UK Government issued ID

Please come along and meet the UK MOSS team - we look forward to hosting you!

New Microsoft Action Pack - details here!

Mike P — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:44:38 GMT

24,000 of our 34,000 Registered Partners currently subscribe to Action Pack, our quarterly toolkits of software and sales and marketing materials. These are created to help our partners stay competitive, meet their sales goals and grow their business. So what is in the new action pack?

New Rules and how you get it:

To enhance the value of Action Pack, from March 1^st, all of those renewing their subscription must take a course and pass an assessment to renew. Partners must take one specific Microsoft online course from the required Partner Learning Centre course list and complete its associated assessment with a minimum score of 70 per cent. To continue receiving Action Pack, partners must pass an assessment every two years. Courses are all 100% subsidised and take no more than 60 minutes. The assessments will take no more than 30 minutes to complete.

If this might be of interest to your readers, in your blog posting would it be possible to highlight the following:

1. All information regarding the Microsoft Action Pack resides at: www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/actionpack

2. We have made available to partners a enrolment and re-enrolment guide from: www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/actionpack

3. If partners have a query regarding their Action Pack subscription, they should call: 0870 60 70 700 (press option 1)

Enjoy!

Opportunity Of a Lifetime - Play at Wembley...?

Mike P — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:55:51 GMT

Quick post - do you fancy a dream come true by playing on the hallowed turf at Wembley? We had a channel team last year and raised over £59,000 for the Wooden Spoon Charity.

Fancy taking part then....send a mail to Donna Chubb @ i-dchubb@microsoft.com with your bid - the top 15 bids will get to take part!

Offer closes this week - top 15 win, charity is the NSPCC, starting bids at £500.

Deploying Office SharePoint Server globally....tips here!

Mike P — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:32:13 GMT

Been on holiday for a week so sorry for the lack of posts, hope you weren't too inconsolable :-)

On my return nice to see a great doc out from the TechNet folk on deploying MOSS server globally - check it out by clicking on the image above.

Enjoy!

An audience with Bill Gates...what will he be focussing on now?

Mike P — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:19:36 GMT

I was fortunate enough to be invited to listen to Bill Gates at his last official appearance in the UK whilst still in his full time role as Chief Software Architect. He spoke around a few topics and then the most interesting part were questions from the amassed partners. The one which stood out for me was what will you be focusing on now you are going part-time at Microsoft. The short version of his answer is as follows:

Search - Internet and enterprise search

Natural User Interfaces

Office - and the future productivity suites

Fantastic to see we will still have his mind on Search!

Dave Overton posted a great few posts covering this all in more detail - check it out below:

What Bill Gates said he will be working on once he stops his full time role - from 2008 Partner Pre-launch event

Enjoy!

Free SharePoint Events for Legal and Professional Services!

Mike P — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:44:02 GMT

Two events coming up from Content and Code focusing on the Legal Industry and the Professional Services business. They both look well conceived ran by a good partner Content & Code. Here's the spiel:

Microsoft® SharePoint® Server 2007: The Opportunity Explained -Legal industry at the core
Thursday 24 January 2008, 9:30am-2:00pm
Microsoft London Victoria
Reference: MSFT05
Microsoft® SharePoint® Server 2007: Realise the Opportunity - A Focus on Professional Services
Thursday 21 February 2008, 9:30am-2:00pm
Microsoft London Victoria
Reference: MSFT06

Learn how to make it easier for professionals and clients to find, access, and collaborate on knowledge, expertise, and process across your entire firm.
Find out how SharePoint 2007 will enhance your portal and search features, and improve the delivery of your business intelligence.
Join us at this seminar and enjoy interactive breakout demonstrations as well as a buffet lunch.
This event is held in conjunction with Interse
This seminar is FREE and is aimed at IT and Communications Managers and Directors wishing to be familiar with MOSS 2007 Enterprise Search and Business Intelligence. Content and Code also encourages senior business professionals, such as CFO and marketing managers, to attend the event to learn about the business implications of SharePoint® 2007.
Reserve your FREE seat now
email: kallia.mansour@contentandcode.com or phone 020 7101 0926

Enjoy - let me know what you think :)